Liposuction – Monterey, CA
Patients may find that they may have problem areas that are out of proportion to the rest of their body. These areas are stubborn and just always there no matter how much dieting or exercising is done. These bulges of fat can sure be annoying! For these patients, liposuction surgery may be a solution. Liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgeries that Dr. Wong performs. The recovery time is generally short and patients are happy with finally getting rid of that pesky bulge.*
*Individual results may vary.
Areas that liposuction are typically good for are the neck, back, chest (especially in male patients), hip rolls (fondly known as the love handles or muffin top), inner thighs, and outer thighs (a.k.a. saddle bags).
Safe surgery is the best surgery
It is important to understand that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. Ideal patients are those who are at their goal weight, but have problem areas or bulges that are stubborn and not going away with dieting and exercise. If you plan on losing more weight, Dr. Wong recommends that you go ahead and do that first. The best results can be obtained in patients who have a BMI (body mass index) of less than 30.
How liposuction works
Some people think liposuction works by just removing the fat and ta-da! they are thinner! This is only part of the story. Liposuction does indeed remove the deep layer of fat in the body while the top layer of fat remains; however, the key is the quality of the skin because we rely on the skin to contract and stick to the new underlying, thinner shape. If the skin does not have good elasticity so “spring back,” the outcome may be loose saggy skin. People who have youthful skin with good elasticity are the best candidates while patients with thinned, stretched out skin and stretch marks will have compromised results.
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What to expect in surgery
Liposuction surgery can be performed in an outpatient setting where you will go home that same day with your loved ones. If large volumes of fat are to be removed, Dr. Wong may choose to perform your surgery in the hospital for safety reasons. If you are having general anesthesia, an anesthesiologist will monitor you closely to ensure your safety throughout the entire surgery. Depending on how much fat is to be removed, liposuction surgery can last from 1 to 3 hours. Small incisions (or future scars) are made through special access points in your skin where a liposuction cannula (with the width of a ball point pen) is placed through these incisions to remove the fat. Special fluid will be placed into your fat to help with pain control and decrease bleeding during the surgery. You will then be placed in special dressings and compressive garments. After surgery, you will recover from anesthesia in the facility’s recovery room for approximately an hour. You will then go home in the care of your family that same day.
Recovery
Dr. Wong will see you within the first week after your surgery. Although we try to help patients have a speedy recovery and minimize patient discomfort, expect to be very sore the first week. Patients typically are very swollen and bruised. Some of the swelling is from the special fluid that is put into your fat during the surgery that helps with pain control and bleeding. A significant portion of the swelling improves during the first few weeks and continues to decrease over the course of the next 6 months. It is important to note that the final contour and results won’t be seen until at least 6 months after surgery. The special compressive garments are worn for 6 weeks to help with the swelling and comfort. Dr. Wong will instruct you on how to do deep massaging once you are recovering well. Most patients get to return to their normal activities and light exercise in 2 weeks as long as they are not strenuous.
Take the first step in seeing a newly contoured you. Call and schedule an appointment with Dr. Wong today! She will discuss your goals and provide you with a highly individualized treatment plan. She looks forward to meeting you!